I've switched over to Freeze 12
and have had pretty good luck with it.
It seems to cool with the best of them ( in a Vanagon :o)
JC...

-------------- Original message --------------
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>

> Ken,
>
> Actually, the frequent loss of R134a into the atmosphere is a big deal,
> environmentally speaking. And actually a very BIG deal. Turns out that
> just like Freon R12, R134a has it's own issues, and it would not
> surprise me to see changes coming that take the stuff off the market.
> Dunno what would take it's place, but the engineering/scientific types
> will come up with something. The public is not going to be without it's
> AC. This very thing - issues with 134a - is at least in part why Freeze
> 12 got the OK to replace R134a.
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
>
>
> Ken Wilford wrote:
> > Yes, John makes a great point and I think this is the reason why I have
> > looked through so many Vanagon service histories and saw an A/C charge
> > every summer since they were brand new. A normal vehicle has the A/C
> > compressor come on when you turn on your defrost. That way even in the
> > winter the compressor is being cycled on and the system stays happy. In
> > the Vanagon not only is this not a feature but on the newer ones if it
> > below a certain temperature you couldn't get the compressor to come on
> > without hotwiring it. So the systems sit all winter until we turn them
> > on in the spring and by that time the seals have contracted and released
> > most of the refrigerant. I have just resigned myself to charging it
> > each spring and as long as R134a stays relatively cheap this isn't a big
> > deal.
> >
> > Ken Wilford
> > John 3:16
> > www.vanagain.com
> >
> >
> > John Rodgers wrote:
> >> One thing not mentioned in all the related posts is that you need to run
> >> the AC for a few minutes once a week year round to keep all the seals
> >> wet. They tend to dry over time and shrink, and then they leak
> >> refrigerant.
> >>
> >> John Rodgers
> >> 88 GL Driver
> >>
> >> Jim Felder wrote:
> >>> Does anyone know of a complete set of instructions for converting to
> >>> 134
> >>> from R12? I'm talking complete, like where to get any parts needed
> >>> for the
> >>> compressor and how to get the compressor open to fit them, how to get
> >>> the
> >>> oil out, put new oil in, and that sort of thing. I inherited a nice
> >>> set of
> >>> manifold gauges but have never used them. I also have access to a
> >>> vacuum
> >>> pump if that is required.
> >>> Jim
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >
> >